Anna Pearl Ratliff

We've been busy settling in, but wanted to share a couple pictures. Anna Pearl was born on December19, 2010 at 8:40pm. She weighed 6 lb 3 oz and was 19" long. We're all doing good and are learning to deal with Anna's reflux. Hopefully we can resolve that in short order.


Have a merry Christmas. I'm sure we'll be back after the holidays!

Updated Prayer Request

A couple days ago, I requested prayers that the baby would come before the 26th. Well, after our doctor visit today, the baby will definitely be here by the 20th! If it hasn't come before then, we'll go in for an induction at 5am on December 20 and have a baby sometime that day. Yea!!!

Prayer Request

As many of you know, my due date is December 21. While we certainly don't want to have to induce labor, timing is an issue for us. My doctor is out of town until Wednesday, so we don't really want the baby to come before that. However, if the baby hasn't come before Christmas, we have another issue. Phillip's main helper at work will not be there the week after Christmas, so Phillip will not be able to take off work. If we had to schedule an induction for the week after Christmas, we'd have to close Bogie's for a day.

So, all that to say, we really want this baby to come before Christmas. If you could say a prayer about that, we'd really appreciate it.

On another note, if you want to help send a Christmas book to a very sick little boy, please go here. You could win a copy too!

Christmas Traditions

Today was a fun day of Christmas traditions for our little family. Last year, we began the tradition of making Christmas cookies. While I won't say that it was a failure, last year was not especially fun. So, we took cues from last year and did things a little differently this year. Isn't that the point of traditions? You make them better each year?

Yesterday, I made the cookie dough (it has to refrigerate for at least 2 hours anyway so overnight wasn't a problem) and the icing...a tried and true recipe, unlike last year where I tried a new recipe.

This morning, Emily and I rolled out the cookie dough and she helped decide which cookie cutter I should use each time. (We only gave her 4 choices so it wasn't too hard! And, Phillip was videoing the whole thing so that's why he wasn't helping here. I'd put it on here, but it's almost 20 minutes and no one wants to watch that!) Baked the cookies and waited for them to cool. Then, Phillip and I iced the cookies while Emily shook sugars on them. She had a ball and, I must say, the cookies turned out pretty good.


We went out for lunch, courtesy of Phillip's grandparents. They often slip him some cash when they see him and this week was no exception. :-)

Supper was a December traditional meal...sausage balls and poached eggs (with runny yolks!). We only get it in December because we only make sausage balls for our Christmas party. And, it's so yummy!!

After supper, we drove through Christmas Lane and Emily oohed and aahed over the lights then wanted more. So, we wound through some neighborhoods on our way home to look at more lights.

It was really an enjoyable day and it could be the last Saturday we have as a family of three. I just hope that next year is as enjoyable, with a three and a half year old and a one year old. It will certainly be different, but probably no less enjoyable.

Meal Plan Monday

With baby coming soon, I'm starting to either double or not half recipes in order to have some meals already in the freezer. Yes, I know people will probably bring food, but if I'm cooking now anyway, why not stock the freezer at the same time?

Thursday-eat out...no real reason, just a treat for all of us
Friday-I have a Christmas party to go to, Emily will be at my parents' house and Phillip will be enjoying some much-needed and deserved alone time. I have a feeling pizza will be involved. :-)
Monday-Chicken Spaghetti, green beans, garlic bread
Tuesday-Tater Tot Casserole, broccoli, rolls
Wednesday-spaghetti

On another note, I mentioned here that our adventure in potty training was beginning. I am proud to say that Emily is in big girl panties all the time and hasn't had an accident in a week! She's even gotten to the point where she'll go in the bathroom by herself and close the door and not let us in until she's finished! Such a big girl!!

The adventure begins tonight!

(Emily's sitting on her new potty, in case you couldn't see that part.)

Pizza in a Bowl

I had a request for this recipe, so I thought I'd go ahead and post it instead of waiting until next week. It was really good and the 6 serving recipe made enough to freeze one for later!

Pizza in a Bowl

6 servings (4 servings)

2 C dried rotini (1 1/2 C)
3.5 oz thinly sliced pepperoni (1.75 oz)
1 lb ground beef (12 oz)
1/3 C finely chopped onion (1/4 C)
15 oz pizza sauce* (8 oz)
8 oz tomato sauce (4 oz)
6 oz tomato paste (3 oz)
1/2 t sugar (1/4 t)
1/4 t garlic salt or onion salt (1/8 t)
1/8 t black pepper (dash)
2 C (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese (1 1/2 C-6 oz)
2 T grated Parmesan cheese (1 T)

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt; drain well. Cut half of the pepperoni slices into quarters; set aside.

In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender; drain off fat. Pour into cooked rotini pot and add pizza sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, garlic salt, pepper, and quartered pepperoni slices.

Spoon half of the rotini mixture into a greased 2 qt casserole (9x13 would also work); sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Top with Parmesan cheese and remaining pepperoni slices. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

For four servings, use a 1 1/2 quart casserole.

*I made my own pizza sauce using 2 8oz cans of tomato sauce, 2 t Italian seasoning and 1 t Worchestershire sauce.

Enjoy!!

Meal Plan Monday

No real reasoning behind this week's plan. I guess, just trying to use what we have instead of spending money. I'd say it's a pretty good plan for just using up stuff!

Thursday: blueberry and sour cream pancakes (They were so good the first time around, I really wanted them again. I'm sharing the recipe below in case you'd like to try them! I left out the nutmeg because we just don't like that and they still taste great.)
Friday: date night!!!
Monday: chicken & dumplings, some kind of veggie
Tuesday: pizza in a bowl, some kind of veggie
Wednesday: spaghetti, garlic bread


Blueberry-Sour Cream Pancakes
Kathy Grashoff, Gooseberry Patch: Made from Scratch

1 1/3 C all purpose flour
1/2 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 T brown sugar
1/2 t nutmeg
1 T cinnamon
1 egg, beaten
1 C sour cream
1 C milk
1 C blueberries (I used frozen and dredged them)

Stir flour, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon together thoroughly. In a separate bowl, combine egg, sour cream and milk; add to the dry ingredients, stirring just enough to moisten. Carefully add blueberries, stirring gently to mix. Drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot greased griddle. Cook until the surface is covered with bubbles; flip and cook until done. Makes 12-14 pancakes.

Meal Plan Monday

No real reasoning behind this week's plan. I guess, just trying to use what we have instead of spending money. I'd say it's a pretty good plan for just using up stuff!

Thursday and Friday: I was in Dallas so Phillip and Emily were on their own
Monday: chicken nuggets, tater tots, french fries, peaches, broccoli (maybe strawberry pineapple salad instead of the peaches)
Tuesday: steak, Delmonico Potatoes, strawberry pineapple salad, chocolate peanut butter pie
Wednesday: Italian Crescent Casserole, some vegetable to be decided later

Birthday wishes

It's so nice to be loved! This morning, I opened my email and found the following companies wishing me a happy birthday. (Okay, so I signed up for their emails and told them when to send me coupons for freebies, but still!)

Cold Stone Creamery
(free Like It creation)

Jason's Deli
($5 off--probably won't be using this one...I might get shot by my husband!)

Red Robin
(free Gourmet Burger)

IHOP
(free Rooty Tooty Fresh & Fruity)

Fazoli's
(free dessert)

Taco Bueno
(free cheesecake chimichangas--one of my favorites!)

Looks like we'll be eating out some in the next couple weeks!

Meal Plan Monday

This is a week of using up. We don't have much grocery money left so I'm trying to maximize the use of the stuff we already have. In fact, we didn't even go grocery shopping last Thursday like we usually do!

Thursday: breakfast supper leftovers from the past few weeks
Friday: salmon, corn casserole, broccoli
Monday: broccoli, rice, chicken & cheese casserole, pears
Tuesday: bierox
Wednesday: spaghetti

Pumpkin Patch

Whew...we made it to the Pumpkin Patch on the last day! I wasn't sure it was going to happen. Next year we'll have to plan a little better! Didn't get great pictures because getting a two-year-old to sit and pose is quite difficult. But, we did get a few good ones so I thought I'd share them here for all of you. Enjoy!

Meal Plan Monday

I realize that the blog has become little more than a post a week about what we're eating. Right now, it's just not a high priority and I'm trying to maximize my use of naptime for settling the house and other things I feel NEED to be done. However, in the next week or so, I should have some pictures from the Pumpkin Patch. For now, you can enjoy one of the six shots Emily let me take today at our MOPS playdate. Needless to say, we'll be going back!



Thursday: blueberry sour cream pancakes
Friday: southern "fried" fish, cauliflower, green beans, purple juice salad
Monday: chicken pot pie, garlic parmesan bread, salad of some kind, peanut butter swirl bars
Tuesday: club steak (from the 1/4 cow we bought from Jenni's company), new potatoes & gravy, broccoli
Wednesday: spaghetti

Mommy's Little Helper

Today has been a day of Mommy's Little Helper. My aunt is coming to town tomorrow and something spurred me on to clean up the house a bit more than usual and actually bake a dessert! (Could have something to do with the fact that I'm now 7 months pregnant!!)

This morning, we baked Peanut Butter Swirl Bars. I wanted to make something Emily could help with, but that didn't require me to do a lot of "Mommy has to do this part." This allowed us to work together to make the batter, then just pour it into a pan. I'll let you know how they turn out!


Then, it was time to dry mop the floors. First, let me just say, I really dislike hardwood floors. Some people think they are much cleaner. But, that's only true if you spend time every day dusting them and frequently mop them, neither of which I do! So, once in a while, we dry mop the floors. We've done it before and it hasn't been exceptionally fun for me because Emily wants to help. This time, I had the brilliant remembrance that I had both a large floor duster and a Swiffer. I used the large floor duster and let Emily use the Swiffer. Brilliant! She could do her thing while I actually got the floors clean!

Before Emily napped, I mopped her room. Only as I was starting did I remember that the floor needed to dry before she could actually take a nap in there. So, we went and mopped the playroom. Then, it was naptime.

Now that I've mopped the whole house (first time since we moved in), I'm thinking it won't happen again anytime soon. It is a lot of work and, while I love the smell of Murphy's Oil Soap, I don't love it enough to do it as often as I should!

Meal Plan Monday

Nothing special this week. Just trying to use up Angel Food before we get our part of the 1/4 cow we bought from Jenni's company. Woohoo!

Thursday: pancakes
Friday: leftovers
Monday: sweet & sour chicken, rice
Tuesday: hamburgers, chips, fruit
Wednesday: spaghetti

Goals Update

Back here, I talked about my goals for the year. I took a break from tracking them this summer due to moving and settling. While I'm not going to track the percentages anymore, I thought I'd let you know how I feel I'm doing on them.

Do my household cleaning chores each week, 80% of the year: yes, probably so

Follow my to do list each week, 80% of the year: yes, probably so

Exercise (walk or Wii Fit Plus) 4 days a week, 80% of the year: absolutely...if I don't walk in the mornings, my back really starts to hurt in the evenings

Meal plan each week, 80% of the year: yes, I am finally doing this again!

Be under budget on groceries (food and household items) every month: this is a toughie! with moving and settling, we haven't been under budget, but I hope to start this one again in October.

Thanks Lane & Lila!

Thanks to Lane & Lila for these adorable "Watch Me Grow" snapsuits. I can't wait to start taking our month pictures with them!

You can check them out here and here.

Meal Plan Monday

(I seem to remember having issues posting this so that's why it's late. So sorry. I know all 2 of you look forward to it!)

This month, for the first time in about a year, we participated in Angel Food. If you haven't heard of it, you should try it! Each month, you can order a box of food that costs roughly half of its value. (I did the math one time and it really is that!) It's open to anyone. There are no income requirements. Since we started participating 3-4 years ago, the program has gotten so much better. You now have more variety in what box you choose and there are far fewer fried foods than there used to be. I'm thankful for that. We got the $41 box this month so I'm hoping to spend far less on groceries because we've already got a month's worth of food! (They say that the box can feed a family of 4 for a week. I'd say, you have to eat a LOT at each meal for even a family of 4 to eat it all in one week!)

Go check it out. I'd love to hear from you if you try it! Here's what we'll be having this week.

Thursday: Biscuits and Gravy
Friday: grilled pork chops, broccoli, spaghetti squash w/ garlic butter
Monday: sweet & sour chicken, rice
Tuesday: Pot roast with veggies (casserole from Angel Food), cornbread
Wednesday: spaghetti

It's been a while...

I know it's been a while since I wrote a real post. Life has been cluttered with stuff, just like my desk currently is. And it bugs me. But, I'm trying to look past it and do just what needs to be done. So, I'm finally posting a belly shot of this pregnancy. I think this is the first one I've posted. (Yes we've taken them for posterity, but I've not thought to post them!) So, just for fun, I thought I'd post the one from the same time with Emily.

with Emily

now

Just to catch everyone up on what's going on with us...
About six months ago, I started talking to a speech pathologist friend about Emily. She just wasn't talking as much as I thought she should be at the time and wanted to visit with our friend about it. At the time, she said that Emily was behind, but wouldn't classify it as a delay. Fast forward six months to now. While Emily's vocabulary has expanded, it hasn't exploded like it should and many of her words are "Klingon" (according to my dad). They aren't English so I have to interpret for people (including Phillip) what she's saying. So, next Thursday, she and I will meet with a speech pathologist at Hendrick Rehab to see what we'll be doing. Keep us (me!) in your prayers as we start this journey.

Never Say Never

I used to say that I never won anything. I think I should stop saying that. In the past 18 months, I've entered countless giveaways, mostly diaper stuff. I can't even count the number of places and blogs I've entered on. But, I'm sure glad the "I never win" never got me down. Just for grins, I added up what all I've won.

12 diapers $249.07
1 diaper cover (got me hooked on wool!) $24.00
1 pair of BabyLegs $12.00
1 diaper duffel $6.25
1 bottle of Booty Luster $6.25

For a grand total of $285.57

Most recently, I was the winner of a $100 gift certificate to Mom's Milk Boutique. It has become my go-to diaper shop online, mostly because they offer free shipping, and where I decided to register for cloth diapers (and a few other things) for this new baby. Abbie is so nice and helpful.

I just want to say a quick thanks to all the sponsors of the giveaways that I've won. I've tried (and loved!) a lot of new diapers that I never would have, had I not won them. I'll pass your store name along to anyone!

Kelly's Closet
Earth Angels Diaper Company
The Cloth Diaper Blog associated with Diaper Junction
Mom's Milk Boutique